Moynul Haque Mridha, Rajbari

In Goalando of Rajbari, small mounds have been created in the area called Padmar Mor next to the Dhaka-Khulna highway. As a result, half a kilometer of road on one side of the highway has become a wasteland. It has become difficult to travel through that place (highway). The stench emanating from the piles of garbage has made the life of people moving around miserable.

It has been reported that as the permanent dumping system of Goalando municipality is not completed, all municipal garbage is being dumped in the Padmar Mor area next to the Dhaka-Khulna highway. It is polluting the environment, air, soil and water. It is affecting public life. Commuters, traders and locals are sick on this highway.

Going to the ground, it can be seen that people traveling in different vehicles are covering their noses and mouths before coming to the dirty place. Several pedestrians cover their faces with handkerchiefs or their own clothes while walking.

Resident of Devagram. Harun Sheikh said, to go to Goalando Bazar or any other place through the highway, before coming to the garbage place, you have to cover your nose and mouth. At present it has become difficult to travel through here. It is very important for the municipality to pay attention to this.

Rickshaw driver. Mubarak Sardar said that one has to travel by fare at least 5-8 times to the ghat on the highway. Sometimes the smell of vomiting comes during movement. The amount of garbage is increasing day by day. He also said that this place on the highway is located in Ward No. 2 of the municipality. Since the place is under the ownership of the municipality, I strongly demand the municipal authorities to clean the dirty place quickly.

Auto driver Farhad Sheikh said that it has become difficult to travel here with passengers. Many are getting sick from such stench. He also said that all waste or garbage of the municipality should be thrown in a designated place. It is better not to provide any service by creating problems for people.

Some pedestrians, who did not wish to be named, said that every day municipal cleaners from Goalando Bazar, bus stand, Paur Jamtala Bazar bring the garbage to the highway at night and early morning. As a result, passengers including rickshaw, autorickshaw and Mahendra drivers are falling ill due to environmental pollution in the area. Many people say that Govt. Wazed Chowdhury Technical School and College is located one and a half miles after the landfill. Hundreds of students use this highway every day. These students are constantly at risk of health while traveling to school. Pedestrians, rickshaw pullers, Mahendra drivers and brick kiln workers want it to end soon.

Mosharraf Hossain Kutin, Ward Councilor No. 2 of Goalando Municipality, said, you already know that we are working on a garbage dumping site in Ujanchar new neighborhood to dispose of these garbage. Hope the work will be done soon and it will come to an end.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shariful Islam said that by throwing garbage on the side of the highway, various diseases and germs spread through the air. People on the move are at risk of various diseases including respiratory problems, asthma, allergies.

Goalando Upazila Agriculture Officer. Khokon Uzzaman said, if various harmful elements from the pile of dirt get mixed with water in the canal by rain or any other means, water from the canal in the surrounding areas will have a huge harmful effect on crop production.

Goalando Municipal Administrator and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Jyotishwar Pal said, "I have heard about the dumping of garbage, quick action will be taken in this regard."